Matthew 14:29-30 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

In our story, Peter is asked to do the impossible — walk on water. His radical prayer was answered because of the purpose of his request: the object of his prayer was to get to Jesus. The Lord Jesus Christ is the object and goal of our faith. Why should we desire to live holy lives, perform good works, obey God’s Word? Our correct objective for wanting these things in our lives is to get us closer to the person of Christ. Through this desire, the Lord has allowed ordinary people to do the extra-ordinary things on their way to Him. The Apostle Paul accomplished enormous things for Christ. His mission statement helps us understand why.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Disciples can still walk on water. The request to walk on water is continually granted us by the Lord in the following sense. We believers ask for deliverance from the sin that besets us and destroys our lives; we cry out to the Lord to help us overcome selfishness, pride, and covetousness; and He delivers. We pray for strength and ability for service, and the Lord provides!   We can walk on water!

As we know, on his way to Jesus, Peter started to sink. People still sink, but revealed in this story are three things that will keep us walking toward the Lord.

• Don’t take your eyes off Jesus. One of the simplest definitions of faith in the Bible is in Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” As long as Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he was doing great. Looking to the Lord through His Word, in prayer, and in faith is the way we walk to Him.

• Keep your eyes off the weather. A sluggard considers the weather and does not plow.   A Christian who ponders the wind and the waves won’t step out of the boat in faith. There has never been a day and age when it has been easy to walk on water! Every time period has had its particular battles and struggles. There is never an easy time to take up your cross and follow Him. Keep your eyes off the weather and on Jesus.

• Keep your mind off the other disciples in the boat. “Where is so and so?” A church visitation or Sunday night attender often asks. If we could read their mind, I am sure it would sound something like this, “If so and so is not here, I guess I don’t have to be here either.” Peter asked the Lord in John 21 about what John was going to do, “what is that to thee? follow thou me” was Jesus’ reply (John 21:22).  So what if you are the only one out of the boat! “What is that to thee? Follow thou me!” Keep your mind off what the disciples are doing and follow Him.

• Keep your eyes off yourself. When looking inward, one is in danger of becoming proud. Many have taken all the credit for what the grace of God has allowed them to do. “Look at me!” Pride says, “I have a nice job, beautiful family, I serve at church…” “I can walk on water.” “Pride goeth before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). When we get proud we are sunk!

On the other hand, when we consider our past failings, our inabilities, and our overwhelming responsibilities we say, “I can’t walk on water!” “I have no business being out of the boat.” Your right you can’t! Many professing Christians will say about the matter of living for Christ, “I tried that once but it wasn’t for me.” Walking on water wasn’t who Peter was either. It was Christ working through Peter.

Take your eyes off yourself and say with Paul:

Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.